Salem

Dr. Kevin F. Dwyer, age 81, passed away after a short illness Saturday morning. He was at home, surrounded by his family.

He was the son of the late Kevin B. and Norma J. (Field) Dwyer; the brother of Lawrence, Dick, Ray Dwyer and his wife Carol, and the late David Dwyer.

He is survived by his first wife Marjorie Dwyer; their children Kathy Piazza, Kevin Dwyer III, Gerard and his wife Lynne Dwyer, Mary Dwyer-Berman and her husband Joel Berman, Maureen and her partner Ken, Patrick, and Dita. He will be missed by his grandchildren Cory, Vanessa, Emily, Gerard, Ryan, Erin, Laura and Julia. He shared the last 26 years with his wife, T. Jane Graham-Dwyer. They have two sons Alex Dwyer-United States Navy, and Kelan Dwyer.

Raised in Scituate, he enlisted in the Navy, serving his country during WW II. After the war, he returned to school, enrolling in college to become an elementary school teacher.

Kevin consistently challenged himself to make a positive difference. In the early 1960's he moved his family to Chile, working for the Catholic Church as a lay missionary. Returning to the USA, he was an educator at a variety of public schools. Furthering his education, he recieved a Doctorate from Boston University. He served as a principal in Framingham and Salem. Many knew him for his work as the long term principal at the Horace Mann Laboratory School, as well as, a teacher/director in the Graduate Program in School Administration at Salem State College. In these roles he made a difference in the lives of many students and served as a mentor to future administrators and teachers.

He continued on the path of personal growth running marathons, sailing along the Maine coast with his wife T. Jane and their children on their boat Bouboulina. Proud of is Irish roots, he attained Irish citizenship. Another of his enjoyments was reading, and sharing his learning with others.

Over the last few years he was known for his walks on Federal St. with his dog and faithful companion O'dazzle. When saying good bye to a family member or friend he would wish the person "Safe Home." Now his family and friends return this wish to Kevin.

Funeral Wed, Jan 16, at 10:15 A.M. from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St (exit 25A from Rte 128) Salem to be followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 in St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Tues from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. in the Murphy Funeral Home. Interment will be private. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Building 9C, Lawrence, Ma. 01843. For online guest book or additional information please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978 744 0497.